South Sudan’s Ambit: Battling A Seismic Cholera Outbreak Amidst Turbulence

South Sudan stands at a critical juncture, grappling with an overwhelmingly severe cholera outbreak, a grievous affliction that has not spared the nation since its independence in 2011. How does a country so rich in resources become so vulnerable, you might wonder? The answer lies in the fragmented kaleidoscope of South Sudan’s socio-political fabric.

As told by UNICEF on Monday, over the last six months, approximately 700 lives have been cut short, many of whom were mere children. The brutal wave of disease has resulted in 40,000 reported cases from late September to March 18, marking the most lethal cholera outbreak in two decades, according to the U.N.’s children’s fund.

“This is the worst outbreak South Sudan, as an independent country, has ever faced,” mentioned Verity Rushton, a UNICEF emergency specialist, directly from the heart of the capital, Juba.

The figures are startling: half of the cholera cases were children under the age of 15—a poignant reminder of the indiscriminate nature of such diseases. As Verity Rushton further expressed, “a third of the deaths reported are children under the age of 14.” How does one fathom such loss?

Despite South Sudan’s rich tapestry of oil deposits, a deep-seated poverty has entrenched itself, commingling with the tides of insecurity since the nation declared independence. The land is not foreign to fresh waves of violence—displaced tens of thousands find themselves amidst skirmishes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his perennial rival, First Vice President Riek Machar.

Out of South Sudan’s comprehensive list of 10 states, nine have been gripped by cholera, with Jonglei, in the eastern expanse, bearing the brunt of the outbreak. This scenario is mirrored across eastern and southern Africa, highlighting Angola alongside South Sudan as hotspots. More than 7,500 cases, including 294 deaths, were reported in Angola between January 7 and March 18, painting a grim portrait of potential escalation.

Amidst this heart-rending backdrop, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) sounded a clarion call on Monday—cholera spiraled rapidly as a fearful populace sought sanctuary. The charity recorded treating 400 cholera patients in a single county in Upper Nile State in the northeast, stressing the spread to neighboring Jonglei State, where MSF operates a vital 100-bed treatment unit.

“With cholera spreading rapidly and violence ongoing, the need for medical care in Upper Nile State is more critical than ever,” articulated Zakaria Mwatia, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan.”

Amidst Violent Clashes

Earlier this month, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in South Sudan pointed out that 50,000 have been displaced since February as tensions in Upper Nile State erupted anew. This focal region has been beleaguered by clashes that destabilize the fragile power-sharing alliance between Kiir and Machar.

OCHA reports further inked in disheartening tones; a cholera treatment unit in Nasir County was shuttered, compelling 23 humanitarian workers to vacate. South Sudan has seen cholera encroach persistently over the past three years—a relentless adversary.

Cholera—this unforgiving foe—is an acute diarrheal illness, surprisingly treatable with basic antibiotics and hydration, yet fatal if left untreated. In 2022, the nation witnessed its first cholera upsurge in five years, following a deadly time span between June 2016 and December 2017, where it claimed 436 lives.

Such is the fragile and intricate dance of survival for a nation grappling with myriad challenges. South Sudan must navigate these tumultuous waters with unwavering resolve, lest its future be swallowed by the past’s hauntings.